How did every type of animal live peacefully during their time on the ark? Our commentary suggests that these animals, unlike the society Noah was from, somehow recognized the dire situation and were able to put aside their natural enmity and cohabitate peacefully in the ark. It was only when the danger was over that they went back to their old habits.
For our sake, for our children’s sake, and for our community’s sake, it’s important that we find ways, even in dark times, to ground ourselves. If we’re to move forward at all, we must physically plant our feet on the ground, push them into the earth, and feel the earth pushing back. We cannot stand for what’s just and what’s right if we’re not first connected in some way to the ground beneath us.
These words from Israel's 1948 Declaration of Independence incorporate the highest aspirations of a newly constituted state in the midst of its becoming. They were not simply empty sentiments. In fact, there were fierce arguments over the meaning and intent of virtually every word.
These words from Israel's 1948 Declaration of Independence incorporate the highest aspirations of a newly constituted state in the midst of its becoming. They were not simply empty sentiments. In fact, there were fierce arguments over the meaning and intent of virtually every word.
We are happy to provide the inspirational and rich sermons given by our clergy during these High Holy Days. Rosh Hashanah 5784 Sermons Rabbi Eve Posen’s RH Sermon (text) Rabbi Daniel Isaak’s RH Day 1 Sermon (text) Rabbi Daniel Isaak’s Day 2 Sermon (text) Yom Kippur 5784 Sermons Rabbi Daniel Isaak’s Kol Nidre Sermon (text) Rabbi David Kosak’s Yom Kippur Sermon (video and text) Rabbi Eve Posen’s Yom Kippur Sermon (text)
MY PHONE DOESN’T KNOW ME AND I HAVE QUESTIONS, TOO By Rabbi David Kosak *If the size of the video is incorrect, please click the box icon in the lower right corner of the video after you hit play to make it full screen. My phone and I are going through a breakup; it claims it doesn’t recognize me anymore. It all started on August 29th, the day Bell’s Palsy hit my face. ... Read More
How do we carry people with us? Like the Israelites carrying the Tabernacle through the wilderness, we have a history of looking for tangible ways to carry the intangible in our hearts. We carry people through their tallitot. Through their dining room table. Through stories of family vacations, weddings, retelling of old terrible jokes. And through names.
